Galloglaich wrote:How do you handle it if you don't have the animal around the whole time between levels?

G

Animal companions don't get XP. They just level up in preset ways along with the PC, so there's no penalty for not having them around. If you lose your animal companion and get a new one, they start off at whatever level you're at. I always pictured it as kind of a magical bond. I couldn't find a realistic explanation otherwise.